From the foreward: “This pamphlet tells the story of the first formative year of civilian-aid policies, programs, and actions of the III Marine Amphibious Force.” This 133 page document was based on records, interviews and correspondence. The book is mostly arranged chronologically. Chapter two is a helpful summary of the government and institutions of both parts of Vietnam up to 1965.

The narrative section is followed by an appendix of “Contents of CARE kits provided through Reserve Civic Actions Fund for Vietnam.” The pamphlet is well illustrated but has no index, a special burden because the Table of Contents provides no real clues about what constituted “civic action” in Vietnam.